Kavango & Zambezi Region Travel Region

This is arguably one of Namibia's most verdant areas with four perennial rivers, renowned for its top game viewing opportunities. You'll have every chance to see elephant, lion, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe and many varieties of antelope. It's also a popular fishing destination and a birdlover's paradise with over 600 species, including some rare endemic species.

* Kavango & Zambezi Region Highlights

∞One of Namibia's greenest, most lush areas with rivers, waterfalls and wetlands

∞Renowned for excellent game viewing, fishing and birding

∞Large herds of elephant

∞Wide expanses of river frontage, perfect for viewing game and fishing

∞Rivers teem with hippo and crocodiles

∞Home to four National Parks (Mamili, Mudumu, Mahango and Bwabwata)

∞Many areas are easily accessible by 2WD

∞Generally more affordable lodges and equally good game viewing as Botswana

Perhaps one of the best 'secret safari' destinations, the Kavango/Zambezi Region has an abundance of wildlife, water and birds - yet is one of the lesser-known African safari destinations. It's far more lush and green than the rest of Namibia as it has four perennial waterways running through it - the Kwando, Linyanti, Chobe and the mighty Zambezi, for which it's named.

The area has its fair share of luxury bush camps and waterfront lodges with lush vegetation and vast wetlands. You'll be able to explore the rivers by makoro and flat-bottomed motor boats, watching the wildlife come down to drink or enjoy some of the excellent fishing the area is known for: sporty Tiger fish, silver barbel, catfish, African pike and bream.

Superb Game Viewing Area

This 450 km strip of land jutting out to the east of the Kavango region has four national parks where you can view game and offers something for everybody: Bwabwata and Mahango Game Parks to the west and Mamili and Madumu to the east. Some parts are easily reached by 2WD vehicles - such as Popa Falls and Mahango Game Reserve, whereas the more remote eastern areas would require 4WD. With the plentiful water in the region, there is an incredible wealth and diversity of wildlife, birds (some 600 species), four of the Big Five (unfortunately, no rhino) and an incredible variety of flora. You may also be lucky enough to spot some of the rarer species like roan and sable antelope in Mahango. In the wetter areas, you'll be able to see sitatunga and red lechwe. Other animals you're likely to see besides huge herds of elephant and buffalo are kudu, impala, oribi, zebra and wild dog. If you're a keen birder, look out for the rare racket-tailed roller and Schalow’s turaco amongst other prolific species like fish eagles, kingfishers and hornbills.

Excellent Value

There are some excellent safari lodges in the area, offering the same game viewing excellence and experiences as you'd be likely to find in neighbouring Okavango Delta, but at much more affordable rates. Many of the lodges are situated on the waterfront where you can enjoy wildlife on your doorstep and drift off to sleep at night with the sounds of grunting hippo.

Proximity to 3 Neighbouring Countries

The Zambezi or Caprivi area is an easy add-on to safari itineraries which include Zambia, Botswana which it borders, as well as nearby Zimbabwe. If you plan to visit Zimbabwe after your stay in Caprivi, you can either cross over into Zambia from Katima Mulilo and travel on to Livingstone and Victoria Falls or you can cross the border at Ngoma Bridge into Botswana, which is a mere 70 km away from the Zimbabwean border.

Climate

The Caprivi Strip, where the Zambezi Region is situated, is a tropical area. Temperatures can be extremely high, especially in mid-summer. The rainy season extends from December to March and this is the wettest region of Namibia. Game viewing is best during the drier winter months when the vegetation is less dense. During the dry season the islands towards the south-eastern Okavango border can be reached by road but after the rains 80% of the area becomes flooded, cutting them off from the mainland.

Tour & Safari Options

This thin strip of land that borders Botswana, Angola and Zambia is better suited for when you've been to Namibia a few times and would now like a road trip that combines Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and/or Zambia by road.

Accommodation in Kavango & Zambezi Region

Featured Accommodation

Namushasha River Lodge

Namushasha is one of those special places that leaves you wishing you could stay longer and wanting to return. The viewing decks and all of the chalets look out over the remote Kwando River, where hippos, elephants, buffalos and a multitude of birds gather. This stunningly-located riverside lodge emerges as the highlight of many a safari in the Caprivi region.

Featured Accommodation

Chobe Savanna Lodge

Chobe Savanna Lodge is a luxury lodge overlooking the Chobe River in Namibia's Eastern Caprivi. The lodge offers spectacular views of the Chobe River and the vast floodplains of the Chobe National Park's Puku flats, with its abundance of wildlife.

Featured Accommodation

Chobe Savanna Lodge

Chobe Savanna Lodge is a luxury lodge overlooking the Chobe River in Namibia's Eastern Caprivi. The lodge offers spectacular views of the Chobe River and the vast floodplains of the Chobe National Park's Puku flats, with its abundance of wildlife.